A preamplifier is an electronic amplifier designed to prepare an electrical signal for further amplification.
Preamplifiers may be:
- in a separate housing.
- incorporated into the housing or chasis of the amplifier they feed.
- mounted in other items of equipment, such as microphones and electric guitars.
- the integrated preamplifier in a foil electret microphone.
- the first stages of an instrument amplifier.
- an audio mixing desk.
- a masthead amplifier used with television receiver antenna or a satellite receiver dish.
